rynd

Auto routing: It's sweet!

I don't know about Vista and Legend but does either have a magnetic compass, if not you need to be moving (~5 mph I think) before the unit can give a compass direction. Also look at your EPE If it says 30 feet and you are standing less than that it 's going to give false directions.

So like I said that makes that unlock completely useless and basically you are throwing away $70. I ask because I don't know: Will a reset remove the maps. I'm pretty sure if you reload the POI by it's self it will wipe out the maps.

The only thing that worries me about this and similar methods is what to do if the people who are actually supposed to carry the clipboard and measuring tape are the muggles.

I think I'll start looking at cache locations on Google Earth and start logging them from that. I guess there's no reason to actually go out in the woods and find them.

That's a good Idea that I haven't thought of, but I don't think it will work for my application.

I didn't have any problems copying them for backup. I don't know about the DVDs though.

I'm not looking for free maps. Yes it would be nice if Garmin included the maps with the GPSr (Which they do IE. the base maps) ,but I know they wouldn't have the same quality and features as they do. All I'm saying is it would be nice to be able to transfer the maps that I have from the GPSr that I sell to the new Gpsr I buy. I'm assuming that the licensing agreement will not allow me to make copy's of the disks that the software is on. To me this brings up another problem. If I sell my GPSr to someone there is no practical or legal way to include the maps that are unlocked for that unit. I can't give them my copy because I still need it and I can't make them a copy because I'm not supposed to. This makes that unlock completely useless.

I'm just saying that I think it's a bad customer relations policy. Since I have to buy maps again anyway there is no real reason not to switch to another brand. Of course I realize that most GPSr buyers are "brand loyal", and they are counting on that, and yes I will probably stick with them but, if I find something else I like better... . I stick with Microsoft because I know if I replace my windows machine I have software that will run on it so I'm not likely to move to mac. It seems to me that they could make it possible to move maps from one GPSr to another without having to re-buy it. As far as music Cd's go: The record company's may not agree, but if I buy a CD I expect to be able to play it in any CD player I want. And if I decide to convert it to mp3 and play it on my computer or my mp3 player or even copy it to tape to play in the tape player, I will. I'm not likely to buy a copy for every player I have and as long as I'm not selling or giving copy's to others I don't see anything wrong with that. Edit: Forgot to spell check.

What sbell111 said: It might not take the route I would take if I know the area, but it will get me there. The nice thing is that if you have to deviate from the route, for example because of an accident, you missed the turn off, you decided to take the scenic, or whatever, it will automatically calculate a new route. If you want to go from Boston to L.A. via Omaha you can use the software and create a custom route by adding waypoints for it to use. I think you can do that on the unit but I'm not sure.

Thanks for the info on the battery drain. I have thought about making some kind of ground plane for the top of my home made walking stick and putting the antenna there. I just haven't figured out the best way to do it or if it's a good Idea or not yet.

I say to heck with all "Geo"coins - lets just all go GeoCacheing.

They didn't think it through too carefully: Since I can't use my maps with another Garmin GPSr, and I will have to buy more maps anyway, there is no reason for me to stick with Garmin when I start looking for my next one. Edit: speeling See my post above ... you can normally get two unlock codes for two Garmin GPSrs that you own. I've already used both.

They didn't think it through too carefully: Since I can't use my maps with another Garmin GPSr, and I will have to buy more maps anyway, there is no reason for me to stick with Garmin when I start looking for my next one. Edit: speeling

I think it would be a good idea to report your find to the police. Meth labs usually leave a lot of nasty stuff and they should know about it and hopefully they'll send in the pros to clean it up.

I've got a 76cs (non x unit) and I just got an antenna for it, and I was surprised by the difference in reception. Anyway, I am curios about the difference in battery life if anyone has experience with it.

Just stare at them with an extremely puzzled look on your face, they'll leave you alone. Edited to add: Actually it usually best to tell them the truth and explain Geocacheing to them. They will Just stare at you with an extremely puzzled look on their face, and they'll leave you alone.

I can't speak for the Lowrance, I did own one for a while (a plain Jane IFinder) and it did have a lot of nice features, but I never had the maps for it and didn't use it much. As far as the Gamins go I would look at the x series. From reading these forums the reception on them can't be beat and now that they use the expansion cards, memory shouldn't be an issue. From reading the replies here Lowrance doesn't offer auto routing which in the car is extremely useful and would be a deciding factor to me. It sound like you are going to be using your unit mostly on the water so I would recommend that you look at the Garmin 76 series. They are aimed more at the marine crowd and have features that you may find useful on the boat. You can also hook them to a compatible depth sounder and it can show water depth. I have no clue what is needed to do it or how useful this is but from reading the manual it can be done. They also work very well in the car, and in the woods. The only down side is that they are a little large, but unless you have very small hands that shouldn't be an issue. Another good thing about the 76 series it that they float and to me that's important on the water. Over all if I where to recommend a unit for the needs you listed I would say the Garmin GPSmap 76csx. The price may be steep but I think it would be worth it.

I thought the Olympics were over for 2006 ?

I've never tried it but I've heard it: You should be able to load the map sections for the locations you think will be tricky and use the base maps for the interstates. Which is to say "yes" to the second part of your question.

So when can we expect the gold bars?

I agree use what you have and if you decide you wan't/need more, worry about it then. Like someone said in another post, it's a lot like the Coke vs Pepsi debate: it comes down to personal tastes.

I think a track is where you've been. A route is where you plan to go.

I just hadn't thougt about it.

If you are not a premium member there is a check box beside each listing on the search page. Using that you can download the whole page worth of way points at one time.